Martin Waddell – Master Storyteller
I was commissioned by Walker Books, one of the UK’s most innovative children’s publishers, to produce a film on DVD which features an in-depth portrait of award winning children’s author Martin Waddell, focusing on his classic Little Bear series of picture books [illustrated by Barbara Firth]. The DVD is packaged in a special edition slipcase together with the complete five book collection of ‘Little Bear’ stories, and was published in the UK and the USA in October 2005. This is the first time Walker Books have produced a DVD to accompany one of their book publications. The DVD includes an interview with Martin Waddell and a full reading of Sleep Tight, Little Bear by the author.
Filmed on location at Martin Waddell’s birth-place and home in Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland, and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne and the Irish Sea, the DVD captures the inspiration and rich emotional sources of his works. Author of children’s classics such as Owl Babies and the Little Bear books, Martin Waddell creates subtle and poetic works of extraordinary emotional power. His picture books are unique collaborations with top children’s illustrators, such as Barbara Firth and Patrick Benson. Martin Waddell has written over 200 books, both for adults and children, selling over 17 million copies worldwide. In 2004 he won the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award. The award is the highest international recognition for a living author or illustrator whose complete works have made a lasting contribution to children’s literature.
Martin Waddell – Master Storyteller credits:
Directed, filmed, edited & produced: CiCi Blumstein
Lighting camera & sound: Kevin Harper
Music arranged & performed on Celtic Harp by: Fearghal McCartan
Executive Producers: Walker Books Ltd.
Copyright: Walker Books Ltd. © 2005
Many thanks to:
David Lloyd, Chairman, Walker Books
Jo Humphreys-Davies, Marketing Manager
Deirdre McDermott, Publisher
Alison Morrison, Marketing Director
Loraine Taylor, Publisher
Hannah Whitaker, Editorial Assistant
CiCi Blumstein 